All things freshwater: news, analysis, humor, reviews, and commentary from Michael E. 'Aquadoc' Campana, hydrogeologist, hydrophilanthropist, Professor of Hydrogeology and Water Resources Management in the Geography Program of the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) at Oregon State University and Emeritus Professor of Hydrogeology at the University of New Mexico. He is Past President of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA), Past Chair of the Scientists & Engineers Division of the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), Past President of the nonprofit NGWA Foundation and President and Founder the nonprofit Ann Campana Judge Foundation, an organization involved with WaSH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) in Central America. He serves on the Steering Committee of the Global Water Partnership (GWP). CYA statement: with the exception of guest posts, the opinions expressed herein are solely those of Michael E. Campana and not those of CEOAS, Oregon State University, ACJF, AWRA, NGWA, GWP, my spouse Mary Frances, or any other person or organization.

Texas Agriculture Law BlogDon't let the name fool you - there are lots of water issues in agriculture and Tiffany Dowell of Texas A&M University does a fabulous job with this important Internet resource. Give it a read - I do every day!

The Way of WaterDr. Jennifer Veilleux records her fieldwork, research, and thoughts about water resources development and management, indigenous rights, ethics, and a host of other issues.

Thirsty in SuburbiaGayle Leonard documents things from the world of water that make us smile: particularly funny, amusing and weird items on bottled water, water towers, water marketing, recycling, the art-water nexus and working.

This Day in Water HistoryMichael J. 'Mike' McGuire, engineer extraordinaire, NAE member, and author of 'The Chlorine Revolution', blogs about historical happenings in the fields of drinking water and wastewater keyed to calendar dates.

Watershed Moments: Thoughts from the HydrosphereFrom Sarah Boon - rediscovering her writing and editing roots after 13 years, primarily as an environmental scientist. Her writing centres around creative non-fiction, specifically memoir and nature writing. The landscapes of western Canada are her main inspiration.

WaterWiredAll things freshwater: news, comment, publications and analysis from hydrogeologist Michael E. Campana, Professor at Oregon State University and Technical Director of the AWRA.

OverviewPresident Trump’s budget request for FY2020 included approximately $134.1 billion for research and development (R&D). Several FY2019 appropriations bills had not been enacted at the time the President’s FY2020 budget was prepared; therefore, the President’s budget included the FY2018 actual funding levels, 2019 annualized continuing resolution (CR) levels, and the FY2020 request levels. On February 15, 2019, Congress enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 116-6). This act included each of the remaining appropriations acts, completing the FY2019 appropriations process. The act also rendered the CR levels identified in the budget no longer relevant, though for some agencies the exact amount of R&D funding in the act remained uncertain. The analysis of government-wide R&D funding in this report compares the President’s request for FY2020 to the FY2018 level.

In FY2018, OMB adopted a change to the definition of development, applying a more narrow treatment it describes as“experimental development.” This change was intended to harmonize the reporting of U.S. R&D funding data with theapproach used by other nations. The new definition is used in this report. Under the new definition of R&D (applied to both FY2018 and FY2020 figures), President Trump requested approximately $134.1 billion for R&D for FY2020, a decrease of$1.7 billion (1.2%) from the FY2018 level. Adjusted for inflation, the President’s FY2020 R&D request represented a decrease of 5.1% below the FY2018 level.

Funding for R&D is concentrated in a few departments and agencies. In FY2018, eight federal agencies received 96.3% of total federal R&D funding, with the Department of Defense (DOD, 38.6%) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, 27.2%) combined accounting for nearly two-thirds of all federal R&D funding. The same eight agencies accounted for 97.2% of the FY2020 request, with DOD accounting for 44.3% and HHS for 25.1%.

Under the President’s FY2020 budget request, most federal agencies would have seen their R&D funding decline. The primary exception was the Department of Defense. DOD’s requested R&D funding for FY2020 was $7.1 billion (13.5%) above the FY2018 level. The Departments of Transportation and Veterans Affairs would have seen small increases in R&D funding. Among the agencies with the largest proposed reductions in R&D funding in the FY2020 budget compared to the FY2018 actual levels were the Department of Energy ($2.8 billion, 15.8%), the National Science Foundation ($567 million, 9.0%), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration ($475 million, 4.0%).

The President’s FY2020 budget request would have reduced funding for basic research by $1.5 billion (4.0%), applied research by $4.3 billion (10.5%), and facilities and equipment by $0.5 billion (12.8%), while increasing funding for development by $4.5 billion (8.3%). Budget supplements published after the President’s FY2020 budget was releasedprovide additional details for certain multiagency R&D initiatives. The President requested $5.506 billion for the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program for FY2020, a decrease of $195 million (3.4%) over the estimated FY2019 level. The President requessted $1.469 billion for the National Nanotechnology Initiative for FY2020, a decrease of $103 million (6.6%) over the estimated FY2019 level. The FY2020 budget supplement for the U.S. Global Change Research Program has not yet been published. Some activities supporting these initiatives were discussed in agency budget justifications and are reported in the agency analyses in this report.

The request represents the President’s R&D priorities. Congress may opt to agree with none, part, or all of the request, and it may express different priorities through the appropriations process. In recent years, Congress has completed the annual appropriations process after the start of the fiscal year. Completing the process after the start of the fiscal year and the accompanying use of continuing resolutions can affect agencies’ execution of their R&D budgets, including the delay orcancellation of planned R&D activities and the acquisition of R&D-related equipment. As of the date of this report, Congress has enacted all 12 regular appropriations bills for FY2020. These bills were incorporated in two acts: the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-93) and the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-94). Both of these acts were signed into law on December 20,2019.

Enjoy!

"Statistics always remind me of the fellow who drowned in a river whose average depth was only three feet." - Woody Hayes

Friday, 20 March 2020

Save us some toilet paper.**********************************************************

The links below represent the week's water news as represented by my Tweets. I do not pretend that this survey is a comprehensive survey of the water news; it's my attempt to keep my readers informed to the best of my ability and available time.

Scroll down to 'Positions Open' and 'Previous Weeks' Positions Open' to see the jobs. All my individual job Tweets are archived at #JobWaWi. Previous weekly summaries are archived at: #WaWiNews or click here.

Amen! @KavehMadani: This is an opportunity for scientists to earn public trust in the era of #fake news & conspiracy theories. Our societies don't deserve the leaders who gamble with the future of humanity by putting ideology & politics above scientific knowledge. cc: @sejorg#coronavirus

It's @natureBriefing - 18 March 2020. Today we hear a call for governments to end secrecy in #COVID19 decision-making, learn how to see the true geometry of the Universe and meet the winners of the 2020 Abel Prize. http://bit.ly/2U3TfAp

It's @natureBriefing - 17 March 2020. The first clinical trial for a potential #COVID19 vaccine has begun in the US, explore the chance discovery that hints at a quantum computing breakthrough and ponder the lessons from a year without conferences. http://bit.ly/3dd4gHt

From @Lou16em: My professor just told me that if we get a whiff of smoke it’s because another professor put the papers he was grading in the microwave to rid them of any chance of #CoronaVirus & then the papers caught on fire.. I can’t make this stuff up people (tnx @GregHeiden1)

It's @natureBriefing - 20 March 2020. Celebrate the computer wizardry that brought us Toy Story, explore the crucial epidemiological puzzle of covert #coronavirus cases and hear that two dozen geneticists found out from a tweet that they might be infected https://bit.ly/2Uol05V

Bullshit and Crap DetectionFrom @Lou16em: My professor just told me that if we get a whiff of smoke it’s because another professor put the papers he was grading in the microwave to rid them of any chance of #CoronaVirus & then the papers caught on fire.. I can’t make this stuff up people (tnx @GregHeiden1)

It's @nature Briefing - 20 March 2020. Celebrate the computer wizardry that brought us Toy Story, explore the crucial epidemiological puzzle of covert #coronavirus cases and hear that two dozen geneticists found out from a tweet that they might be infected https://bit.ly/2Uol05V

It's @NatureBriefing - 19 March 2020. Today we discover a recipe for nuclear fusion using permanent magnets, explore the five key questions for scientists hunting a coronavirus vaccine and learn how Russia aims to revive its science http://bit.ly/2U4pgIU

It's @natureBriefing - 18 March 2020. Today we hear a call for governments to end secrecy in #COVID19 decision-making, learn how to see the true geometry of the Universe and meet the winners of the 2020 Abel Prize. http://bit.ly/2U3TfAp

It's @natureBriefing - 17 March 2020. The first clinical trial for a potential #COVID19 vaccine has begun in the US, explore the chance discovery that hints at a quantum computing breakthrough and ponder the lessons from a year without conferences. http://bit.ly/3dd4gHt

It's @NatureBriefing-16 March 2020. Today we explore how scientists get a grip on how much coronavirus is spreading under the radar,hear the evidence that Alcoholics Anonymous works,learn bits of Dead Sea Scroll at Museum of the Bible are all forgeries http://bit.ly/3d0tubX

Personal, People, Prizes, Interviews, and QuotesWho deserves to receive the 2020 William C. Ackermann Medal For Excellence In Water Management? Or one of @AWRAHQ's other awards? Learn more at https://bit.ly/2IXwVCh Online applications due May 8 https://bit.ly/2x8Hfoe

"There are grounds for cautious optimism that we may now be near the end of the search for the ultimate laws of nature." - Stephen W. Hawking

"Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and THAT is the basic building block of the universe." - Frank Zappa

Amen! @KavehMadani: This is an opportunity for scientists to earn public trust in the era of #fake news & conspiracy theories. Our societies don't deserve the leaders who gamble with the future of humanity by putting ideology & politics above scientific knowledge. cc: @sejorg

"Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and THAT is the basic building block of the universe." -Frank Zappa

OverviewCongress generally funds the civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts. These activities include the planning and construction of authorized water resource projects and the operation and maintenance of infrastructure and navigation improvements managed by USACE (e.g., navigation channels). For USACE civil works, President Trump requested $5.97 billion for FY2021. As shown in Figure 1, Congress typically funds USACE above the President’s request. At times, Congress also provides USACE with supplemental appropriations, typically for flood response and recovery (see CRS In Focus IF11435, Supplemental Appropriations for Army Corps Flood Response and Recovery).

Unlike many of the federal agencies that support infrastructure investments by distributing federal funds to nonfederal entities by formula or through competitive grant programs, USACE directly commits funds for project planning and construction. It uses most of its appropriations for work on specific studies and projects authorized by Congress. These activities are often cost shared with nonfederal project sponsors or users.

USACE Funding and FY2021 RequestThe President’s FY2021 budget request prioritizes maintaining the performance of existing infrastructure, as reflected by the share of funds requested for operations and maintenance (i.e., the O&M account; see Figure 2), and completing ongoing construction projects (i.e., the Construction account). The request would initiate no new studies or construction projects (referred to as new starts). In response to budget requests with no new starts in recent years, Congress has required USACE to start a specified number of new construction projects and new studies. For example, in FY2020, Congress appropriated funds for six new construction projects and six new studies. The FY2021 request also seeks to limit funding to ongoing navigation and flood risk reduction construction projects with benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) greater than 2.5 to 1 (i.e., benefits are at least two and a half times project costs) or to projects that address safety concerns.

Since the 112th Congress, moratorium policies have limited congressionally directed funding of site-specific projects (i.e., earmarks). Prior to the 112th Congress, Congress would direct funds to specific projects not in the budget request or increase funds for certain projects. Each year since FY2011, Congress has appropriated additional funding for categories of USACE work without identifying specific projects. For example, in FY2020, Congress provided $2.53 billion in additional funding for 26 categories of USACE activities (e.g., construction of flood and storm damage reduction). After congressional enactment of the appropriations legislation and accompanying report language on priorities and other guidance for use of the additional funding, the Administration develops a work plan that reports on (1) the selected new start studies and construction projects and (2) the specific projects receiving additional funds.

Celebrate spring in the northern hemisphere today - 11:49 EDT.

Enjoy!

"There are grounds for cautious optimism that we may now be near the end of the search for the ultimate laws of nature." - Stephen W. Hawking

OverviewMost of the large dams and water diversion structures in the 17 states west of the Mississippi River were built by, or with the assistance of, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), part of the Department of the Interior.Reclamation’s original mission was to develop watersupplies, primarily for irrigation to reclaim arid lands in the West. Today, its mission includes management, development, and protection of water and related resources.Reclamation’s mission areas and geographic scope aregenerally narrower than those of the other principal federal water resource agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Reclamation manages hundreds of water storage and conveyance projects. These projects provide water to approximately 10 million acres of farmland and 31 million people. Reclamation is the largest wholesale supplier of water in the 17 states west of the Mississippi River and the second-largest hydroelectric power producer in the nation. Reclamation facilities’ operations can be controversial, particularly in relation to effects on fish and wildlife species and conflicts among competing water users.

Reclamation’s role has evolved, and its focus has gradually shifted from construction of new water storage projects to operation and maintenance of existing projects. Reclamation also has expanded into new areas, including funding for water supply projects on tribal lands and in rural areas under congressionally authorized Indian water rights settlements and rural water supply projects, respectively. In addition, Congress has authorized Reclamation grants to nonfederal projects, including those for water reuse and recycling, conservation and efficiency, and desalination.

Reclamation’s Water and Related Resources account fundsmost agency activities, including construction, operation and maintenance, dam safety, and ecosystem restoration. It also funds Indian water rights settlements and most Reclamation programmatic and grant authorities. Reclamation typically also requests funding for three smaller accounts: California Bay-Delta Restoration, the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund (which is offset by customer receipts), and the Policy and Administration account.

Enjoy!

"Science is a wonderful thing if one does not have to earn one's living at it". - Albert Einstein

Tuesday, 17 March 2020

A little delayed in getting this out today, because of travel, but quite a nice, large list that gets crowded at the top with what I thought were some interesting openings. Stay safe and healthy everyone!

Circle of BlueCircle of Blue uses journalism, scientific research, and conversations from around the world to bring the story of the global freshwater crisis to life. Here you’ll find new water reports, news headlines, and hear from leading scientists.

Drink Water For LifeThe idea is simple. Drink water or other cheap beverages instead of expensive lattes, sodas, and bottled water for a set period of time. A day, a week, a month, Lent, Ramadan, Passover, or some other holiday period.

eFlowNet NewsletterFrom the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) this newsletter has lots of information about environmental flows and related issues.

Sustainable Water Resources RoundtableSince 2002, the Sustainable Water Resources Roundtable (SWRR) has brought together federal, state, corporate, non-profit and academic sectors to advance our understanding of the nation’s water resources and to develop tools for their sustainable management.